PHOENIX (AP)—Oakland Athletics starter Justin Duchscherer had another setback in his rehabilitation from an elbow injury and will miss the start of the season.

Duchscherer had to stop playing long toss on Saturday morning because of persistent pain in his right elbow. He was given a cortisone injection and he won’t be able to touch a baseball until at least Tuesday.

“When I got to 75-80 percent, it started hurting,” he said. “The more I threw, the worse it got. Instead of taking a few more days off, we’re going to hit it hard with cortisone and take it from there.”

Duchscherer said the extra rest would prevent him from building up his pitch count.

“If I don’t feel better soon, I’d probably start the season on the DL,” Duchscherer said. “I’ve got a lot of pitches to throw to get ready to start a regular season game.”

Temper your expectations. He's not the late-round bargain that he looks.

Who was targeting him? I don't think I've seen him on a single sleeper list here at the cafe. Most people were avoiding him due to his favorable luck last season. This development certainly boosts the value of Gio, Anderson, & Cahlil for the 09 season. Gio seems almost assured of a starting slot to open the season, I'm still not sure how the rest will play out though...

Field wrote:Who was targeting him? I don't think I've seen him on a single sleeper list here at the cafe. Most people were avoiding him due to his favorable luck last season. This development certainly boosts the value of Gio, Anderson, & Cahlil for the 09 season. Gio seems almost assured of a starting slot to open the season, I'm still not sure how the rest will play out though...

No I think Gio could start the season in the bullpen or AAA.Mazzaro and maybe Cahill will benefit the most from this. And it might stop Eveland being DFA-ed or traded.

With everyone seemingly wanting to stay away Duchscherer was a guy that I was trying to get as late as possible. With this news though and the talk that the A's might want him back in the bullpen in order to keep him healthy I think I'll stay away as well.

Hal·la·day, n. 1. every fifth day in Philadelphia. 2. a day of rest for the bullpen. 3. innings eater. 4. doc. 5. ace.